Elaine Seals looks over peppers on Oct. 9, 2012 at Meijer in Muncie. Fresh produce from Meijer is now being donated to Second Harvest.

Written by

Ivy Farguheson
ifarguheson@muncie.gannett.com

Less than two months ago, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana was prepared to end the second of its bi-monthly fresh food distribution in Delaware County.

The rise in transportation costs and the fees for the produce and meats made it difficult for local food pantries to pay for the items their clients needed. Their decrease in funds also made it harder for pantries to pay for the increased costs once gas prices began to rise.

But in recent weeks, local grocery stores began to come to Second Harvest's aid. Meijer is the latest to work with the agency's fresh food needs. ...